Sydney Barth '24 Recruiting Profile

Lily Endowment Community Scholarship

     During my freshman year of high school, my life drastically changed. I developed a blood clot in my upper leg and was hospitalized for a few days. I could not walk for the first few weeks and had to undergo physical therapy. My first day of high school was the rest of my peers' fourth day. They had already learned where their classes were and knew about their teachers. Without my friends, family, and kind staff, I would not have been able to learn the maze that was my high school. My high school career started roughly at first, but I was able to grow and learn from these experiences. My future plans of becoming a journalist and being able to share my story with others who may be going through the same circumstances have been greatly influenced by my past. I know that in my heart I wish that I had someone that went through the same events and would have been able to answer all of my questions. I intend to be this person for someone else in need.

    Through the difficulties that have followed my health issues, I have experienced many obstacles. The pain that was caused by the blood clot forced me to quit volleyball. I had been playing this sport since elementary school. However, through these hardships, I was able to find a love for tennis that did not cause me as much pain. I was able to learn how much I enjoy this sport and was able to grow as a player. I pushed myself through the obstacles and kept up with my physical therapy and was able to enjoy my high school career. I dug deep down and found the determination to focus on myself and what I love, while also not causing myself any pain.

Going to college will help me continue my education and continue to grow as a better person. The determination I find to continue learning and to grow within my community has come from myself. I have made many sacrifices by missing certain events and parties to focus on what is important to me, my education. Going to college will help me find a sense of community and broaden my horizons of what I believe the world is. Becoming a journalist has been a dream of mine. I want to share with others my story in order to show people that they are not alone. Gaining a community that is able to build on each other and help everyone going through hard times. 

The characteristics that I have gained from my past experiences have made me a better person. My involvement in my school and community has influenced me to continue to strive toward my goals and aspirations in life. My love for tennis has helped me learn more about myself and has kept me motivated to become a better player. I intend to continue to grow and become a better person in college while helping others through their hardships.